Pierre Falardeau (December 28, 1946 – September 25, 2009)

Pierre Falardeaudied of cancer this morning. He was 62. The man who brought us Elvis Gratton, the short film based on Michèle Lalonde’s poem ‘Speak White’, and the ode to les Patriotes 15 février 1839 was never at a lack for words and provoked controversy over the years, particularly with comments about David Suzuki and the role of the “ethnic vote” in Quebec politics. But he also believed in the power of popular resistance and self determination, expressing admiration for Palestinians in their struggles as well. Whichever side of the Quebec sovereignty question you stand on, Quebec lost one of it’s icons today.

Falardeau on Tout le monde en parle (Oct. 2008)

Elvis Gratton – Canadien français québécois… whatever

UPDATE: Just got this in my email. A succinct tribute to Falardeau from the Calendrier Militant: